Strategic Communications Project Manager

hdr; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Strategic Communications Project Manager to join our Transportation Business Group. You will lead the development, management, and execution of communications and engagement for infrastructure projects, directing strategy and staff across multidisciplinary teams.

You will work with HDR leadership and clients to ensure successful outcomes. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and 7+ years in communications or related fields, with at least 2 years in project

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required, in related field or commensurate experience.
• 7 years related experience in communications, public relations, marketing, community engagement, or closely related field.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication across media (web, brochure, newsletter, social media).
• Ability to interact with design teams, staff, and clients; strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% and represent HDR professionally in client meetings.

Responsibilities

• Direct development, management, and execution of communication and engagement activities on infrastructure projects.
• Drive messaging strategy for pieces including talking points, media releases, social media, and video scripts.
• Oversee meetings and vendor logistics; manage schedules and budgets per HDR protocols.
• Coordinate outreach materials and collaborate with social media, web, graphics, and video teams.
• Develop distribution lists and comment management databases; document outreach activities and reporting.
• Lead project scopes, schedules, budgets; supervise staff and ensure quality of work; represent HDR in client meetings.

Skills

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Organizational skills

Travel up to 30%

Client management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent

Master’s degree

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next‑generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

We create connections between people and the projects and services that move communities forward.

We are looking for a Strategic Communications Project Manager to be a member of our Strategic Communications program, a global team of communicators who are passionate about putting people first in planning and infrastructure. As a full-service communications, engagement, and creative practice, we develop and implement ideas to bring people together in projects of every size and sector. We help people get to know each other, foster understanding, and build more connected, equitable, and sustainable communities.

As a Strategic Communications Project Manager, you will direct the development, management, and execution of communication and engagement activities on a variety of infrastructure projects. You will work collaboratively as part of a broader Strategic Communications team and take direction from HDR leadership and clients. In this role, you will be expected to drive communications and engagement strategy for projects, delegate work to staff, and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets in accordance with HDR’s project management protocols.

Core Technical Responsibilities

• Direct project communication and engagement strategy and plans
• Define messaging strategy for communication pieces including talking points, media releases, social media, project materials, and video scripts
• Manage formal and informal public meetings, hearings, open houses, workshops, advisory committees, or other stakeholder meetings
• Oversee meeting logistics and vendor management
• Direct task workback schedules and meeting plans
• Oversee the production and distribution of outreach materials such as newsletters, websites, handouts, presentations, advertisements, door hangers, press releases, and mailings
• Collaborate with specialists in social media, web, graphics, and video to produce outreach tools and materials
• Direct the identification of stakeholders and manage the development of distribution lists
• Direct the development and maintenance of project-specific comment management databases and responses to comment protocols
• Oversee documentation of outreach activities, including activity tracking and reporting

Other Job Responsibilities

• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets
• Direct the work of others and ensure quality of work
• Independently represent HDR in client meetings
• Serve as the primary client contact for Strategic Communications projects
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with your team, partners, and clients
• Support and mentor staff
• Lead Strategic Communications pursuits and proposals
• Participate in industry events and personal professional development opportunities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• 10 years professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, community engagement, or closely related field
• Professional experience in the infrastructure industry, specifically transportation, water, and power infrastructure
• Track record of leading successful communications and engagement strategies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including experience writing for various media (web, brochure, newsletter, social media, etc.)
• Great attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments at a time, prioritize among tasks, and set and meet deadlines
• Service- and client-oriented attitude
• Willingness to travel (up to 30% of time)
• Ability to drive or independently get oneself to project locations
• Self-starter who can work well independently or in a team environment with shared work assignments
• Desire to learn and grow professionally
• Creativity and ability to think outside the box
• Experience working with remote teams/clients
• General professionalism and ability to represent HDR in front of clients
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• A commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and related professional experience
• 7 years related experience
• A minimum of 2 years project management experience
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an affirmative action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.